The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-10
THE LORD Is RISEN INDEED.


william NJ. Taylor, in Harper's Bazaar.
The resurrection OF Jesus Christ is tina cardi-
nal fact of the gospel history. That it is fact
is proved by the testimony of many witnesses,
whose evidence has not been shaken by the cross
examination to which, for eighteen centuries the
record has been subjected. No doubt there are
minor differences of detail in the statements
made by the four evance.ists, and more or less
difficulty has been felt in harmonizing then. in
all points with each other. But these apparent
discrepancies are only such as are to be expected
in independent narratives. Had there been
such superficial differences it would have been
said that there must have been collision, and SO
the evidence of many would have been reduced
to the testimony Of But as it il, there is
the clearest indication that each spoke for him.
self. without any preconcerted Arrangement be-
tween them to concoct an entirely unique story,
which each should repeat as the school-boy re-
cites his welcomed lesson.
Then it must be borne in mind that. though
each had his own version of the circumstance.
they all agree that the Lord did rise from the
dead. They all allege that the sepulchre was
empty, and that they had seen Jesus after his
resurrection, while no attempt WAS ever made by
their antagonists to find and produce the dead
body of the Savior-a thing which, had it been
possibly, would have at once convicted the disci-
pies of an attempt at imposition,
But, still further, these disciples were not men
likely to make such an attempt. They had
nothing to gain by doing that while by their per-
sistence in their testimony they drew upon them
selves the bitterest persecution. Moreover, they
advocated principles and in every other matter
followed practices, which are consistent only with
the utmost truthfuness, and therefore, in accord
ance with the laws Of evidence we are bound to
believe their testimony when they affirm that
Jesus rose from the dead
Some seven or eight years ago. as I was re-
turning on Sunday evening from my church to
my home, saw a lnrid glare in the sky which
betokened that great fire was raging somewhere
in the city. When made inquiry OF the first
person whom met, was told that chair fac
-
upon, few yards further on, alleged it was an
armory; and a third. still further 10 the street,
told me it a church. Now. according to the
logic of those who on the ground of the discrep-
ances in the GOSPEL narratives deny that Jesus
rose from the dead, the proper inference from
all these statements would be that there was no
fire at all. But next morning when opened my
newspaper found that all three reports
were true and that even if there had been a
fourth, TO the effect that two churches had been
on fire. that also would have been correct Now
case like that, occurring at our door, may serve
to guard us against mistaking superficial dis
crepancy for an absolute contradiction for though
there is difference between ordinary FIRE
and miracle, yet the logic of evidence is the
same in both; and where the testimony. to the
| main matter is clear, and given by persons in
other respects trustworthy, and having con-
| ceivable motive impelling them to deceive we
| are warranted in concluding that if we know all
the facts, every minor discrepancy would dis
| appear. Therefore, have no hesitation in say
Ing tnat tho more thoroughly ono studies tbs
subject. after the manner of Judge Green
leaf in our own country. West in England.
the more ha will appreciate the declara-
/ ton of the great Thomas Arnold when,
! in one of his sermons to the Rugby boys, be
says 1.-THE evidence Of cur Lords life. and
/ death, and resurrection may be- and often has
been. shown to be satisfactory. 1t is good. ac-
cording TO the common rules for distinguishing
good evidence from bad. Thousands and tens
| of thousands of persons have gone through il
| piece by piece carfully ever judge summed
up in most important case. ] myself have
doEe it many times over, not 70 persuade othe rs
but to satisfy myself. / have been used fol
many years to study the history of other times
and to examine and weigh the evidence of those
who have written about them, and know of ns